Technology can once again be thanked for bringing together a member of the Washington Redskins and his fans.

Rookie running back Alfred Morris on Wednesday became the third Redskins player to participate in a Google+ Hangout, in which he video chats with lucky fans who are able to ask whatever questions are on their mind.

Morris hung out with fans Devon Artis, Shane “ViciousKing” Redman, Jason Thompson and Liam Boyle right before Wednesday’s practice. The exchange also led to the four fans winning tickets to Saturday’s Redskins-Colts preseason game at FedExField.

Morris’s Google+ Hangout was the third so far this season, joining defensive end Jarvis Jenkins and quarterback Robert Griffin III— whose hangout was during the NFL Draft weekend in April.

(Running back Tim Hightower was originally scheduled to participate in Wednesday’s Google+ Hangout, but he missed practice due to a death in the family. We certainly send our thoughts to Hightower and his family.)

For more information about future hangouts, be sure to follow the Washington Redskins on Google+ and add the Redskins to your circle for a chance to ask your favorite player a question and have a chance to win exclusive prizes.

Redskins fans have already had a chance this season to hangout with defensive end Jarvis Jenkins and quarterback Robert Griffin III, but now — thanks to the power of the internet — you have a shot at hanging out with a running back.

The Washington Redskins are coordinating a Google+ Hangout with running back Tim Hightower, which is set for noon on Aug. 22.

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http://blog.redskins.com/2012/07/28/running-back-situation-up-in-the-air/#commentsSat, 28 Jul 2012 17:28:29 +0000http://blog.redskins.com/?p=19986518]]>

(AP photo)

In 1995, the decision to feature just one running back the entire season was pretty much made up for then-Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan.

That’s because a 23-year-old sixth-round draft pick named Terrell Davis quickly showed the Broncos — and the rest of the National Football League — that he had the skills to be the best rusher in the NFL.

That season, Davis — who wasn’t the Broncos’ original choice at running back heading into the season — played in and started 14 games and rushed for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns, while adding 367 yards receiving to his stat line.

Shanahan on Friday compared the stipulations of Davis’s rookie year to that of the three Washington Redskins running backs looking to carry the load in 2012.

Asked when he would decide to rely on one running back for the rest of the season, Shanahan said, “I really don’t know.”

“People asked me about Terrell Davis. They didn’t think he was going to make the football team going into the last preseason game, but he had a heck of a game,” Shanahan said in his post-practice press conference. “So we really don’t know who’s going to play.”

Veteran Tim Hightower was the Redskins’ starting running back last season before his season ended in Week 7 when he tore his ACL against the Carolina Panthers. In his place, then-rookies Roy Helu Jr. and Evan Royster turned in solid relief appearances, averaging 4.2 and 5.9 yards per carry, respectively.

Hightower probably still has the “whole-package” advantage over Helu Jr. and Royster — the ability to run, catch passes and pass block — but Shanahan said not to rule out another running back on the roster whose background is very similar to Davis’s in Denver.

Rookie Alfred Morris — like Davis — was a sixth-round pick by the Redskins in April’s NFL Draft, and saw lots of reps in the team’s organized team activities and mini-camp as other backs nursed injuries.

“Maybe Alfred Morris is the guy who steps up, just as Davis did,” Shanahan said. “That’s why you have to have competition.”

Shanahan said he knew he had something special in Davis when the Broncos decided to draft him with a late-round pick out of Georgia.

“Oh I knew he was going to make the team,” Shanahan said confidently. “I wasn’t sure he was going to be our starting running back but he was like the MVP two games on special teams. And anytime a guy that’s a running back that hasn’t played special teams, plays at that level, you know he’s going to be on your team you just don’t know if he’s going to be dressed or be a part of your 46 or 53 or 61 (-man roster).”

Redskins’ running back Tim Hightower said Wednesday he only gave his Redskins’ teammates, coaching staff and fans an “appetizer” of what he feels he could bring to the squad in 2011.

Unfortunately, as you might remember, Hightower’s 2011 season — his first with the Redskins — ended prematurely in Week 7 when he tore his ACL against the Carolina Panthers.

Hightower was a guest Wednesday on ESPN980’s “The Sports Fix” and talked about what he’s expecting from himself when training camp begins next week.

“I’m doing everything until they tell me not to,” Hightower said. “I don’t know any other way — I know full-speed, I know go hard every single day, and I’ve prepared my body during the long offseason and prepared myself, too, to put myself in this position. I’m taking it one day at a time, but come July 25, I’m anticipating going.”

The sixth-year veteran out of the University of Richmond said he has “a lot to prove” this season as he recovers from such a major injury.

Hightower also has two other young running backs behind him who turned in quality performances in 2011 in Roy Helu Jr. and Evan Royster.

“I’ve got a lot of unknowns, a lot of question marks,” Hightower admitted. “I am yet to really make a big, significant impact in this league, and even on this team. So that’s been my motivation. I kind of gave the Washington Redskins and the fans out there just an appetizer last year, for lack of better words, and it’s not enough. It wasn’t enough for me, and that’s what kept me going every single day of my rehab when there were days where I felt my body was hurting or some days you kind of second-guess yourself a little bit. That stuff kept me motivated, it kept me fueled, it kept me waking up at 12 at night or 2 in the morning just to do something. And I’m excited, you know. I appreciate the respect that I have for Coach Shanahan and the Washington Redskins nation. I’m looking forward to going out there and really leaving a mark with this team and this organization.”

It’s good to hear that honest approach from Hightower, who I’m imagining is just itching to get onto the field and get his first meaningful carry of the season.

The Washington Redskins enter the 2012 season with three running backs that showed flashes of excellence at various points in 2011.

But will the Redskins’ offense be more proficient with a running back-by-committee system, or with one premier back handling most of the rushing duties?

Quarterback Robert Griffin III prefers the latter.

Griffin III spoke recently with NFL.com’s Adam Rank about the Redskins’ running back situation, and said he felt the prime starting rushing candidate will show himself soon enough.

When Rank mentioned Redskins’ head coach Mike Shanahan’s “Shanahanigans” — which allude to the use of multiple running backs in a game — Griffin III, who grew up an avid fan of Shanahan’s and the Denver Broncos, countered with one name.

“It’s not up to (Shanahan), it’s not up to me,” the rookie Griffin III said. “It’s up to that guy. (Shanahan) wasn’t subbing Terrell Davis in and out; Terrell Davis wasn’t a first-round draft pick; Terrell Davis showed him that, ‘Hey, I can be your guy.’ And I think that’s the challenge when it comes to Helu, Royster, Tim Hightower, Tristan Davis — all these guys that are in that backfield, it is up to them to decide who’s going to be the guy.”

Griffin III said he feels the veteran Hightower will get the first crack at setting himself apart from the other running backs when training camp gets underway July 26.

In 2011, Hightower started the first five games of the season for the Redskins, totaling 321 yards on 84 carries with one rushing touchdown. He also added 10 receptions for 78 yards and recorded the first receiving touchdown of his career.

His season was cut short in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers when he tore his ACL.

“If Tim Hightower comes back healthy, he’s the guy no doubt because he runs with a lot of passion and he’s a good leader,” Griffin III said.

Griffin III said Helu Jr. and Royster should get the next crack at the running back position. In Hightower’s absence, Helu Jr. and Royster rushed for a combined 958 yards in their 2011 rookie campaigns with the Redskins.

Griffin III said he’s also liked what he’s seen out running backs Tristan Davis and Alfred Morris, a rookie.

“Don’t count out those other guys,” Griffin III said. “I’ve seen ‘em work. I know the hunger that they have, and if they get their shot, they’re going to make the most out of it, kind of like a Reuben Droughns did in Denver or a Mike Anderson. Those guys came out of nowhere supposedly, but it’s just a product of what Mike Shanahan can do and the running back coach, Bobby Turner, that’s one of the best around.”

I definitely like this engagement by Griffin III with his new teammates. It gives the world a view of how these guys interact every day on and off the football field, and shows the rookie quarterback’s focus and leadership skills.

The quarterback-running back relationship has already begun to take shape as the Washington Redskins’ organized team activities head into their third and final week.

With the expected three-headed monster of Tim Hightower, Roy Helu Jr. and Evan Royster in the Redskins’ backfield in 2012, the team can boast three backs — each with their own standout attributes — that can challenge the defense.

In Thursday’s OTAs, for example, the Redskins’ quarterbacks were working on their short pitches to the running backs, an alternative to the direct handoff that can give the runner more open field and better vision when getting in possession of the ball.

A fake pitch on this play, however, would also give a quarterback with rookie Robert Griffin III’s abilities to roll out and either use his legs to try to extend the play, or throw to a receiver down the field.

It’s just one of the several offensive weapons the Redskins and head coach Mike Shanahan hope to unleash in 2012.

Here’s the exclusive video of Thursday’s OTAs from our crew with Redskins.com TV:

The Redskins 80th Anniversary Bus Tour hits the road for the second day of a summer of thank you’s. Check out the story on the main page for updates throughout the day, and stories on Redskins Tim Hightower and company, former Redskins linebacker Sam Huff, and Redskins general manager Bruce Allen.

Today, the gang travels to Shenandoah County, Va. Here are the photos from the first two stops of the day:

The University of Richmond alum proudly wore his alma mater’s hat Monday morning as he signed his contract, signfying his official return with his hometown Washington Redskins.

Hightower — an Alexandria, Va., native, where he grew up less than 20 minutes away from Washington D.C. — played collegiately for the Spiders. While there, he set school career records for rushing yards (3,617), all-purpose yards (4,448), rushing touchdowns (34) and total touchdowns (39) in 49 career games.

Hightower’s signing means the Redskins have at least three running backs capable of rushing for 100 yards on any given Sunday.

Roy Helu Jr. and Evan Royster rushed for a combined 968 yards in their 2011 rookie campaigns, and Helu said Hightower’s veteran presence was a big part of that.

“I appreciate Tim’s leadership,” Helu said. “That’s my man right there, and I count him in when I think about (the 2012) season).”

In 2011, Hightower started the first five games of the season, totaling 321 yards on 84 carries with one rushing touchdown. He also added 10 receptions for 78 yards and recorded the first receiving touchdown of his career.

His season was cut short in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers when he tore his ACL.

Here’s a video from Hightower’s alma mater showcasing the running back’s first game last season against the New York Giants. Interesting note: Hightower was kicking field goals during his pre-game warmup: